School budgets have been cut and classrooms are now packing in
more students than ever, so when will teachers get a break?

According to Ahwatukee Foothills resident Candace Holmes, that
break could come as soon as this fall. Holmes aspires to make life
a little easier on educators, students and the environment all with
one idea.

Candace and her husband are the creators of eHomework Wiz, a
computer software program that allows K-12 students to complete and
submit their homework online. It is a paperless way of assigning
homework.

The software can automatically check students answers all at
once, or a teacher can choose to go through them one-by-one. It
also points out questions that numerous students miss.

Holmes suggests that the time saved grading individual answers
will allow teachers to focus on these problems areas.

It is not attached to a specific curriculum, so individual
teachers have more control when creating lesson plans. eHomework
Wiz simply walks teachers through the steps of creating an online
homework packet.

Their inspiration to develop the software came to them a year
ago when their children's schools went green and started sending
out newsletters via e-mail.

"Kids and schools have been really interested in recycling. Now
they are interested in reducing, and our software would reduce a
lot of paper waste. It's a whole new area," Holmes said.

The couple ran with their idea and entered eHomework Wiz in the
Pepsi Refresh Project in June. The Pepsi Refresh Project gives away
$1,300,000 each month to individuals, non-profits, and pro-social
businesses that have an idea that will have a positive impact on
communities. The top 10 ideas at the end of the month in the
$25,000 category receive funding.

But that isn't stopping their progress. They are currently
testing different parts of the program and working on getting a
website up and running.

Holmes acknowledges worries about the software being too costly,
but assures that even though they didn't win the Pepsi Refresh
Project they are doing everything they can to keep the software
affordable.

"At a time where most people are rushing out because the schools
don't have money, we are rushing in because we are trying to help
solve their problems," Holmes said.

Candace, who is a former IT professional, and her husband, who
has been a software developer for more than 20 years, are using
their combined knowledge and hard work to create a product that
would be feasible for schools to purchase.

"When people see that this is the kind of program you would get
from a very big software company they will be amazed. It will be
supported that way, there will be tech support, and training and
all the things you would expect from a big company but it will be
so inexpensive. If all the schools in a district have a fundraiser
they will be able to afford this product," Holmes said.

Another possible uncertainty that Holmes addresses is the fact
that not every student has access to a computer outside of
school.

Her solution to that worry is either printing the homework in
PDF form and allowing them to complete it traditionally, or having
after-school time where students can use computers on campus to
complete their assignments.

Holmes anticipates that by mid-August they will have a demo
available, and by the fall they will be able to offer it to schools
in the Kyrene district.